The chameleon and the magical cure
The chameleon and the magical cure
It tells the tale of a chameleon who tricks the forest animals into believing she has magical healing powers, until a brave mouse reveals the truth. The vocabulary is clear and the sentences are straightforward, making it easy to follow while teaching an important lesson about honesty and courage.
In the great forest, there lived a young chameleon named Clara.
In the great forest, there lived a young chameleon named Clara.
She was clever with words and could change her colors to match any mood she wished to create.
She was clever with words and could change her colors to match any mood she wished to create.
One day, Clara announced to all the animals that she had discovered a magical cure.
One day, Clara announced to all the animals that she had discovered a magical cure.
"With just one tiny drop of blood," she declared, standing tall on a rock, "I can tell you everything about your health!
"With just one tiny drop of blood," she declared, standing tall on a rock, "I can tell you everything about your health!
No more need for the old owl doctor who asks so many questions.
No more need for the old owl doctor who asks so many questions.
No more waiting for the wise turtle who takes days to examine you."
No more waiting for the wise turtle who takes days to examine you."
The animals were amazed.
The animals were amazed.
Even the wisest creatures—the elephant, the eagle, and the ancient tortoise—came to see this miracle.
Even the wisest creatures—the elephant, the eagle, and the ancient tortoise—came to see this miracle.
Clara changed her colors to deep, serious shades.
Clara changed her colors to deep, serious shades.
She spoke in a low, important voice.
She spoke in a low, important voice.
She wore a small black shell on her back that made her look very scholarly.
She wore a small black shell on her back that made her look very scholarly.
Soon, animals from all over the forest came to Clara's tree.
Soon, animals from all over the forest came to Clara's tree.
The rabbit brought his grandfather, who had been feeling tired.
The rabbit brought his grandfather, who had been feeling tired.
Clara took a drop of blood, looked at it through a hollow reed, and said, "He is perfectly healthy!
Clara took a drop of blood, looked at it through a hollow reed, and said, "He is perfectly healthy!
Just needs more carrots."
Just needs more carrots."
But the old rabbit was actually very sick.
But the old rabbit was actually very sick.
By the time they realized Clara's diagnosis was wrong, it was almost too late.
By the time they realized Clara's diagnosis was wrong, it was almost too late.
The real owl doctor had to work day and night to save him.
The real owl doctor had to work day and night to save him.
A small mouse who worked in Clara's tree noticed something strange.
A small mouse who worked in Clara's tree noticed something strange.
Clara wasn't really looking at the blood drops.
Clara wasn't really looking at the blood drops.
She was just pretending!
She was just pretending!
The magical cure was all make-believe.
The magical cure was all make-believe.
The brave mouse was scared.
The brave mouse was scared.
Clara was powerful now.
Clara was powerful now.
Many important animals believed in her.
Many important animals believed in her.
But the mouse remembered the sick grandfather rabbit and thought of all the other animals who might be hurt.
But the mouse remembered the sick grandfather rabbit and thought of all the other animals who might be hurt.
One morning, the mouse stood up at the forest gathering and squeaked as loud as she could: "The magical cure doesn't exist!
One morning, the mouse stood up at the forest gathering and squeaked as loud as she could: "The magical cure doesn't exist!
I have seen it myself.
I have seen it myself.
Clara pretends to test the blood, but she makes up the results!"
Clara pretends to test the blood, but she makes up the results!"
At first, the animals didn't want to believe the tiny mouse.
At first, the animals didn't want to believe the tiny mouse.
But the owl doctor asked to see Clara's methods.
But the owl doctor asked to see Clara's methods.
The eagle demanded proof of her discoveries.
The eagle demanded proof of her discoveries.
When Clara couldn't show them anything real, her colors began to fade and flicker nervously.
When Clara couldn't show them anything real, her colors began to fade and flicker nervously.
Soon, the truth spread through the forest like wildfire.
Soon, the truth spread through the forest like wildfire.
Clara had to leave the forest in shame.
Clara had to leave the forest in shame.
The animals learned an important lesson: just because someone speaks with confidence and looks important doesn't mean they tell the truth.
The animals learned an important lesson: just because someone speaks with confidence and looks important doesn't mean they tell the truth.
The little mouse became the forest's hero, teaching everyone that speaking the truth takes more courage than wearing fancy shells or changing pretty colors.
The little mouse became the forest's hero, teaching everyone that speaking the truth takes more courage than wearing fancy shells or changing pretty colors.